I find it ironic that America, who spoke out against the Berlin Wall, is now in the business of building walls. We are presently constructing one between us and Mexico, we have funded and researched one between Israel and Palestine, and now we are constructing one in Iraq to quell sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia. Our hatred of the Berlin Wall was not a hatred of walls but a hatred of the Soviet Union. Would Ronald Reagan tell our current president to tear down these walls? Somehow, I doubt it.

In order for there to be true reconciliation and lasting peace, parties must see each other face to face. One's picture of the other must remain open and dynamic. Those enemies who do not see one another have the wildest imagination for seeing evil in the other. As dynamic as the imagination is, it remains confined to itself, and the overall picture remains relatively static. The other remains evil, demonic - a justification for acting demonic in one's own way. A concrete wall makes it very easy to lob bombs without remorse for the child on the other side

In keeping with our confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, "who has consecrated for us a new and living way into the holiest though the veil of his flesh" (Torrance), we must tear down these walls of hatred and security so that we can see the image of Christ in our neighbors. The peace of Christ is our only true security.